Apply

Applications for the McGill X-1 Accelerator 2019 will open April 4th, 2019.

What we're looking for:

We're looking for later-stage McGill startups who are able to demonstrate traction with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), customers, and/or revenue.

Founders are required to be in Montreal from June to August 2019, and are committed to working full-time in the co-working space provided on-campus.

Demo Days will take place in Montreal, Boston, San Francisco, Toronto and New York City in the Fall Semester following the McGill X-1 Accelerator program.

Teams should include at least one technical co-founder and should have a minimum two founders. At least one of the co-founders should have a McGill affiliation (student, alumni, faculty, or staff). If the only affiliation is a McGill alumni, they should have graduated from McGill no more than 5 years ago.

Requirements

1. Teams must include at least one founder affiliated with McGill

2. Teams must include at least one technical co-founder

3. Teams must be present in Montreal for the entirety of the 10-week program held from June to August

We’re in search of startups that can build their business upon a technology, science, or idea that will give them a significant or radically disruptive advantage compared to their peers. Your startup should have the potential for exponential growth to eventually serve global markets.

You have a great team with at least one technical co-founder and a full-time commitment towards working on your startup for the summer between June and August 2019.

The McGill X-1 Accelerator resources and milestone funding money is granted with no equity attached.

4. How many people can be on my team?

Teams are made of two to three members and are all founder-level participants, with at least one technical co-founder.

5. On my application, what if I don't know what to put for my team's milestones?

We're looking for you to take a first stab at defining milestones so we get a better sense of where your team is, and where you think your team can be by the end of the McGill X-1 Accelerator program.

If you are selected, it’s likely that your initial milestones will change as you iterate through the program and its Advisory Board meetings.

6. Do all of my team members have to be affiliated with McGill?

No. While we are primarily focused on accelerating McGill entrepreneurs' abilities and practical skills for entrepreneurship, at least one participant should have a McGill affiliation (student, alumni, faculty, or staff).

If the only affiliation is a McGill alumni, they should have graduated from McGill no more than 5 years ago.

7. Do I have to compete and/or win the McGill Dobson Cup to be eligible for the McGill X-1 Accelerator program?

No, you do not have to compete and/or win the McGill Dobson Cup to be eligible to apply.

However, you should be able to demonstrate traction with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), customers, and/or revenue (see FAQ No. 2)

8. How many teams will you accept for the McGill X-1?

We expect to select 10 teams for the 2019 cohort. The McGill X-1 organizing team has full discretion over the number of teams selected.

All decisions are final.

9. What is required of my team once I am in the accelerator?

We are looking for McGill startup teams that are able to work on their startup full-time in Montreal from June to August 2019.

Selected teams will be expected to collaborate with the other teams in the McGill X-1 Accelerator program by working primarily out of the McGill Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship summer space. Team members are expected to engage in the McGill X-1 Accelerator’s extracurricular activities and actively share learnings with other founders in the program.

Teams are also required to attend and pitch at the McGill Montreal Demo Day on September 10th, 2019. Teams will also be given the opportunity to pitch at McGill Demo Days in Boston, San Francisco, Toronto and New York City.

If selected to pitch, modest funding will be provided per team to travel to Boston, San Francisco, Toronto and New York City.